Whether or not we want them or desire them, we all have people in our lives who are in opposition with us. Even when we don’t know why. As Jeremiah says, “9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” During these times of opposition, what do you do? Do you run away? Get even? Become distant or spiteful?
Our Response
What we should do is imitate what Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48)
Let’s dissect.
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be children of your Father in Heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Loving your enemies. The definition of ‘loving’ is the feeling, showing, and/or giving of great care. Imagine you’re trying to love someone, an enemy, and instead of love you show great hate, distastefulness and/or being not genuine in what you do or mean or say, and everything they tell you becomes a burden. Then by the given definition, it is not real love. Jesus is saying that it is the FEELING. Sometimes we feel like we have to forcibly help and give but that’s not genuine love. If you love an enemy you would love them no matter the history and/or moment. Think about this: What is in my heart? Why can’t I show love to this person?
Pray for those who persecute you. From above, people are going to hurt you. Expect that. But why and what should we do? Well, we should pray for them. Not a quick prayer, it should be intentional. Talking to God about how the actions made against you made you feel and praying for your heart to love them regardless.
Doing these actions, will give you an identity. That we may be children of our father in heaven. I don’t know about you ladies, but having an identity in Christ is BREATHTAKING. We get to inherit a new identity from our Father by doing this. It’s heaven——literally and figuratively. If this is not as thrilling to you, I would suggest studying out the benefits of being in heaven. We get a room, (John 14:1-3), a new body, (Philippians 3:21) etc. (maybe I will do a new post about it and share it here!*prayer hands*)
Harsh Reality
Doing this will not affect what happens in our lives. The same happiness and grievances that we endure on the earth that happens to us as Christians is the same thing that happens to those who are not. So doing this will not get you a special prize or reward on earth.
Lastly, BE PERFECT AS YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS PERFECT.
I honestly don’t like the word perfect because I equate it to be about being better than others and having it all together. But it’s not that at all! According to Oxford Dictionary, the definition of perfect, adjective. it is having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics; as good as it is possible to be.
That means that while you are aiming to be perfect there are limits to perfection in being like our Heavenly Father. Firstly, we aren’t able to create things in the way that God can create things. I like to use elements. In chemistry, elements are singular. They are often combined to make other compounds and bonds to make a substance. For example, H2O which is water (I know I’m getting all sciencey but bear with me) is essentially a compound substance. But singular you just have hydrogen and 2 oxygen elements. Hydrogen and Oxygen are gasses. Basically God can create those elements singular and together. We cannot make water. As humans we can manipulate it, by turning it into currency by putting some electrolytes in it and selling it, but we cannot actually create water nor walk on it. (Though TikTok jokes say otherwise)
There are obvious limitations with God that we cannot possibly imitate but these actions and behaviors that we see and approach, we can do these practicals and be the best at it!
That is all for today ladies, be a light, love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you, and love the Lord! God bless.